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Tallman talks Pa. budget at Golden Visions

The state representative focused on funding for senior programs, pensions, transportation and social security

By Jeff Lautenberger

jlautenberger@eveningsun.com

@photojeff on Twitter

Posted:
02/28/2014 04:50:05 PM EST

State Rep. Will Tallman, R-Abbottstown, uses a clicker to navigate a presentation on Pennsylvania's proposed 2014-15 budget during a town hall event at Golden Visions Community Senior Center on Feb. 28. Tallman focused on aging-related issues and answered questions from attendees. (Jeff Lautenberger — The Evening Sun)

Katherine Mouberey of West Manheim Township addresses a question about Rabbit Transit cuts to State Rep. Will Tallman during a town hall event at Golden Visions Community Senior Center on Feb. 28. Mouberey expressed frustration with service cuts and fears the transportation many seniors use to get to the community center will become too expensive. (Jeff Lautenberger — The Evening Sun)

State Rep. Will Tallman, R-Abbottstown, outlined items in Pennsylvania's 2014-15 budget proposal Friday to a crowd at Golden Visions Senior Community Senior Center.

Tallman, whose district bisects Adams and York counties, focused the discussion on matters of interest to senior citizens, including funding for senior programs, pensions, transportation and social security.

"If we can keep people out of nursing homes, it's a huge benefit to taxpayers," said Tallman, noting that Golden Visions is an example of a cost-effective, community-based service that offers an alternative to full-time care.

However, some visitors expressed concern about transportation to senior centers.

"I'm so worried about the future of RabbitTransit," said Katherine Mouberey of West Manheim Township. "Lots of people won't be able to keep coming here."

Mouberey said cuts to routes, especially in Adams County, and fare increases mean trouble down the road for seniors.

Tallman called RabbitTransit funding a problem, and said his office gets many complaints about the York-based public transportation system.

Other attendees were frustrated with rising costs of pensions across the state and that taxpayers are getting hit with the bill.

In his response, Tallman mostly agreed, saying that current underfunded state employee pensions should be subject to changes.

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Tallman took a slight stab at fellow Republican Gov. Tom Corbett calling his lottery privatization program "wrong," but acknowledged a need to fix a revenue gap in lottery funding.

"We really need to look into how we fund senior programs and it appears that the lottery may not be a sustainable way," Tallman said.

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